Catch or lock for purse or bag frames.



No. 716,799. Patented Dec. 23-, 1902.

E. E. WITTE.

CATCH 0R LOOK FOR PURSE OR BAG FRAMES.

Application filed Apr. 15. 190% (No Model.)

F? .15 L I5 lNVENTOR; 2 East Ehl'itta,

1E ,BY a I THE NGERIS PEIiHS c0, Pnomrrqa. WASHJNGYDN, n. c.

UNrrE STATES :ATE'NT OFFICE.

ERNST E. WITTE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. E. MERGOTTCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CATCH OR LOOK FOR PURSE OR BAG FRAMES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters iatent No. 716,7 99, dated December23, 1902.

Application filed April 15, 1902. Serial No. 102,959. (No model.) I

To 6.0% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNST E. WITTE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Catches or Locks forPurse or Bag Frames; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figuresof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention has reference to improvements in holding catchesor looks for bag or purse frames; and the main purpose of the inventionis to provide a simple, cheap, and neatly-constructed holding catch orlook for bag or purse frames of the various kinds, but which isespecially adapted for use in connection with the bag-frame sections ofa chatelaine-bag, the lock or catch being of astrong and durableconstruction and readily manipulated by the use of one hand when the bagis worn from a belt or the like.

Furthermore, this invention has for its primary object the production ofa holding catch or lock in which there are but a few parts and there isno possible way of rendering the mechanism inoperative due to constantuse or careless handling.

With the several objects of my invention in view the said inventionconsists in the novel construction of bag or purse frame catchhereinafter set forth, and, furthermore, my invention consists in thevarious novel arrangements and combinations of the parts, as well as inthe-details of the construction thereof, irrespective of the use of thecatch or look with the bag-frame sections, all of which will be fullydescribed in the following specification and then finally embodied inthe clauses of the claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a face view of one form of purse or bag frame providedwith a catch or look embodying the principles of this invention. Fig. 2is a top or plan view of the upper por tions of a pair of bag-framesections in their closed relation with a top or plan representation ofthe holding catch or look. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the partsrepresented in said Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a central longitudinalvertical section of the said parts. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectiontaken on line 5 5 in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a similar section illustrating,however, the operating mechanism of the holding catch or lock in itsactuated position to permit of the separable relation of the bagfraniesections. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7 '7 in said Fig.at, and Fig. 8 is atop view of the upper portion of one of theframe-sections with the lock-casing and the catch mechanism removed.Fig.9 is a perspective view of the lock-casing before being secured inits position upon the frame-section.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of'a catch-plate; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are a top and end view, respectively, of a coiled springemployed with the said lock or catch mechanism.

Similar characters of reference are employedin all of the saidabove-described views lug-receiving slots 7, and also with a pair ofholes or perforations 8. Suitably secured upon the upper surface of thesaid frame-section 1 is an open-bottomed lock or catch casing 9, thesame being made at its ends with downwardly-extendingholding-lugsorprojections 11, which are passed through the said lugreceiving slots 7and then bent over against the inner surface of the said frame-section1, whereby the said casing is securely held in its proper position uponthe said frame-section, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and i.The said casing 9 is also provided with a centrally-arranged enlargedportion or member 10, preferably of a cylindrical configuration, asshown. This portion or memher 10 has a closed and preferably flat top12, in which there is an eccentrically-arranged elongated opening 13,and in the lower marginal edge of the said portion or member 10, inalinement with the elongated opening 13 and in that side of the saidportion or member 10 nearest the eccentric end portion of the saidopening 13, is a cut-away part or opening 14, all substantially asillustrated more particularly in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

The arrangement and construction of the movable parts of the holdingcatch or look are represented more particularly in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7of the drawings, and the same consists, essentially, of a holding orcatch plate 15, a post 16, provided with a suitable knob or finger-piece17, and a spring 18. The said catchplate has a central hole orperforation 19, in which the lower end of the said post against theunder side of the said plate 15, as 16 is arranged and clenched orriveted over shown, the said post extending in an upward direction andprojecting through the said elongated opening 13 in the flat top 12 ofthe member or portion 10 and having its fingerpiece arranged directlyabove the said top 12, as illustrated. The said catch-plate 15 is madewith a rearWardly-extending stud or projection 20, which extends intothe said cut-away part or opening 14 in the side of the portion ormember 16 and which serves as a fulcrumal pivot resting directly upon aportion of the upper surface of the frame-section 1, substantially asshown and for the purposes to be presently described. The said stud orprojection also serves to prevent any possible rotary or lateralmovement of the said catch plate 15. The said catchplate 15 is alsoprovided with a suitablyconstructed and downwardly-extendingholding-lug, projection, or nosing 21, which extends through the opening6 in the framesection 1 and registers or engages with an opening 22 orany other suitably-constructed holding means on the other frame-section,2, to retain the two frame-sections 1 and 2 in their normally closed orlocked relation to each other, as illustrated more particularly in Figs.3 and 5. The spring 18, which is employed for retaining the assembledparts of the hold ing catch or look in their normally holding or closingengagement with the frame-sections, consists, essentially, of a U-shapedor bent central member 23, which rests directly upon the upper surfaceof the said catch-plate 15 and is arranged at one side of the post 16toward or near that end of the plate 15 which carries the saiddownwardly-projecting holding-lug, projection, or nosing 21. At eitherside of the said central member 23 the spring 18 is made withlaterally-extending torsional spring-coils 24 and 25, the said coilsterminating at their ends with the downwardly-projecting end members 26and 27, respectively, which extend into and are held in the holes orperforations 8 in the said frame-section 1, as clearly illustrated. Theresult of this is that the spring 18 is operatively held in its properposition within the lock-casing 9, with the said U-shaped or bent member23 of the spring 18 constantly exerting a downward pressure upon theupper surface of the said catch-plate 15. When these various parts havebeen arranged in their assembled and operative positions upon theframe-section 1 and the frame section 2 has been closed against theframe-section 1, then all the parts are in their closed or lockedrelation. (Indicated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5.) To bring the frame-sectionsinto their separable relation for opening the frame-sections, a slightpressure against the knob or finger-piece 17 of the post 16 in thedirection of the arrow X in Fig. 6 of the drawings will cause the studor projection 20 to act as a fulcrum against the upper surface of theframe-section 1, and while the post 16 is permitted to be moved in arearward direction in the elongated opening 13 the catch-plate 15 israised in angular position sufficiently to entirely withdraw theholding-lug, projection, or nosing 21 from its holding engagement withthe opening 22 or other holding means of the frame-section 2 to permitthe frame-sections to be separated. This action takes place against thedownward tendency of the said member 23 and the coils 24 and 25 of thespring 18, and when the pressure is removed from the finger-piece 17 ofthe post 16 the several parts will immediately assume their initialpositions, although the frame-sections are still open for allowing thesaid holding-lug, projection, or nosing 21 to be broughtinto its holdingor locked engagement with the frame-section 2 when the twoframe-sections are again brought into their closed relation, as will beclearly understood.

I am aware that changes may be made in the various arrangements andcombinations of the parts Without departingfrom the scope of my presentinvention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangementsand combinations of the parts as described in the previous specificationand as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine myselfto the exact details of construction of the said parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a purse orbag frame, the combination, with a pair of frame-sections, of aholding-catch on one of said frame-sections, and a holding means on theother of said frame-sections, the said holding-catch,comprising,aninclosing casing provided with an enlarged member 10 having aneccentrically-arranged and elongated opening, and provided with acutaway part 14, a fulcrumal catch-plate in said enlargementandafulcrumal lug on said plate extending into said part 14, aholding-lug on said catchplate adapted for holding engagement with thesaid holding means on the other frame-section, a post on saidcatch-plate extending through and being movably arranged in saidelongated opening, a finger-piece on the free end of the said post, anda spring havingits main portion arranged upon the upper surface of saidcatch-plate and its free ends connected with the frame-section,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a purse or bag frame, the combination, with a pair offrame-sections, of aholding-catch on one of said frame-sections, and aholding means on the other of said frameseotions, the said holding-catchcomprising, aninclosing casing provided with an enlarged member 10having an eccentrically-arranged and elongated opening, and providedwith a cut-away part 14, a fulcrumal catch-plate in said enlargement anda fulcrumal ing on said plate extending into said part 14, a holding-lugon said catch-plate adapted for holding engagement with the said holdingmeans on the other frame-section, a post on said catch-plate extendingthrough and being mov ably arranged in said elongated opening, a

finger-piece on the free end of the said post, and a spring having a Ushaped portion arranged upon the upper surface of said catchplate, atorsional spring-coil at each side of said U-shaped portion, and an endportion connected with each coil, said endportions being secured to theframe-sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a purse or bag frame, the combination, with a frame-seotionprovided with perforations 8, of a holding-catch on said framesection,comprising, an inclosing casing, a fulcrumal catch-plate in said casing,means for actuating said plate, and a spring having its main portionarranged upon the upper surface of said plate and its free endsextending into and being held by the said perforations 8, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a purse or bag frame, the combination, with a frame-sectionprovided with perforations 8, of a holding-catch on said framesection,comprising an inclosing casing, a fulcrumal catch-plate in said casing,means for actuating said plate, and a spring having a U-shaped portionarranged upon the upper surface-0f said catch-plate, a torsionalspringooil at each side of said U-shaped portion, and an end portionconnected with each coil said end portions extending into and being heldby said perforations 8, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a purse or bag frame, the combination, with a frame-sectionprovided with lugreceiving slots 7 and perforations 8, of aholding-catch, comprising, an inclosing casing having holding-lugsentering the said slots '7 and turned over against the saidframe-section, a fulcrumal catch-plate in said casing, means foractuating said plate, and a spring having its main portion arranged uponthe upper surface of said plate and its free ends extending into andbeing held by the said perforations 8, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

6. In a purse or bag frame, the combination, with a frame-sectionprovided with lugreceiving slots 7 and perforations 8, of aholdingcatch, comprising an inclosing casing having holding-lugsentering the said slots 7 and turned over against the saidframe-section, a fulcrumal catch-plate in said casing, means foractuating said plate, and a spring having a U-shaped portion arrangedupon the upper surface of said catch-plate, a torsional spring-coil ateach side of said U- shaped portion and an end portion connected Witheach coil said end portions extending into and being held by the saidperforations 8, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The herein-described holding-catch fora purse or bag frame, comprising, a casing having an enlarged member 10 provided with aneccentrically-arranged and elongated opening,and also havingacut-awaypart 14:,acatchplate in said casing, a lug on said catch-plateextending into the said cut-away part 14, a post on said catch-plateextending through the said elongated opening, and provided at its freeend with a finger-piece, and a spring in said casing having a portion inengagement with the said catch-plate, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

8. The herein-described holding-catch fora purse or bag frame,comprising, a casing having an enlarged member 10 provided with aneccentrically-arranged and elongated opening, and also having a cut-away14, a catchplate in said casing, a lug on said catch-plate extendinginto the said cut-away part 14, a post on said catch-plate extendingthrough the said elongated opening, and provided at its free end With afinger-piece, and a spring in said casing having a portion in engagementwith the said catch-plate,the said spring consisting of a U -shapedbearing portion,'and

a torsional spring-coil at each side of the said bearing portion,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 12th day of April, 1902.

ERNST E. WITTE.

Witnesses:

J. E. MEReoT'r, FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL.

